Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Awakened by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
Published January 4, 2011
I just read all the books in this series in the past month and I loved them. I've been aggravating the director at the library almost every day about when it will be in. Sometimes we get bookclub books early. No such luck with this one though. So excited y'all.

Summary from Amazon:
*Possible Spoilers*

“My love, speak to me. Tell me everything.” Neferet went to Kalona, kneeling before him, stroking the soft, dark wings that unfurled loosely around the immortal. “What would you have me say?” He didn’t meet her eyes. “Zoey lives.” Neferet’s voice was flat, cold, lifeless.“She does.”“Then you owe me the subservience of your immortal soul.” She started to walk away from him.“Where are you going? What will happen next?” “It is quite simple. I will ensure Zoey is drawn back to Oklahoma. There, on my own terms, I will complete the task you failed.”
Exonerated by the Vampyre High Council and returned to her position of High Priestess at Tulsa’s House of Night, Neferet has sworn vengeance on Zoey. Dominion over Kalona is only one of the weapons she plans to use against Z. But Zoey has found sanctuary on the Isle of Skye and is being groomed by Queen Sgiach to take over for her there. Being Queen would be cool, wouldn’t it? Why should she return to Tulsa? After losing her human consort, Heath, she will never be the same – and her relationship with her super-hot-warrior, Stark, may never be the same either…
And what about Stevie Rae and Rephaim? The Raven Mocker refuses to be used against Stevie Rae, but what choice does he have when no one in the entire world, including Zoey, would be okay with their relationship? Does he betray his father or his heart?
In the pulse-pounding 8th book in the bestselling House of Night series, how far will the bonds of friendship stretch and how strong are the ties that bind one girl’s heart?

Thursday, December 23, 2010

I've been really busy the past few days with Christmas shopping, wrapping, baking, etc but I just want to give a big thanks to everyone who entered my contest and followed me! I've read all your comments and have tried to get back to most. I'll catch up though if I missed you!

I plan on picking the winner in the next couple of days. Need to add up all the entries.

Monday, December 20, 2010

There are over 100 blogs participating in the hop so check them out at the bottom of this post!

Since it's Christmas and we all love to get stuff that we really want I'm giving away $15 in books to the winner of my hop! The books can be from anywhere that has gift cards. So if there's some ebooks you have your eye on or a new release that you're drooling at the mouth for here's your chance!

There are some optional entries as well that will give you even more of a chance of winning!

Goodreads Description:Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Life as We Knew It enthralled and devastated readers with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event--an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.

My thoughts:Even though I liked the first one in this series, Life As We Knew It, I enjoyed this one even more. In Life, it is written in a diary form, which I didn't really care for. But this book didn't do that and I liked it much better. This book takes the reader to NYC and what happens there when the moon gets all jacked up do to a meteor slamming into it.I loved Alex's voice in this story. I like that it was from his point of view and how he struggled with taking care of his sisters. There were some scenes that were just awful and the things he went through - I can't imagine...I really like this series. There is one more out right now that I haven't read yet. It brings characters from the first and second book together. Definitely a good read - if end of the world madness doesn't scare you.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

I got a ton of stuff again this week. I'm finished w/my 2nd Master's degree and getting ready to go on Christmas break from work so I'm super excited to be able to read all the books I have piled up. :)

From the Library:

The Vampire Academy Series by Richelle Mead

I have not read this series and I hear it is great. They all came in at the library so I decided to grab them so I could read them over break.

Bought:

Shadowland by Alyson Noel

Goddess of the Sea by PC Cast

Matched by Ally Condie

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

Won:

Crusade by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin

I won Nightshade from Nicole at Word For Teens. She sent along the other two because it took a little long to get Nightshade to me. I wanted to read both of these so I was so excited to get them! She also sent some bookmarks but I forgot to put them in the picture. Thanks Nicole!!

Extras:

I LOVE Harry Potter and these have the DVD, BluRay, and Digital Copy. I really wanted the Digital Copy and it was only a few more bucks to get the DVD's instead of buying on iTunes so I got them today at Sam's Club.

Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.

Even though Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce–and goes out of his way to make that very clear–she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, she has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret . . . even if it kills her.

My Thoughts:It seems like all the books I've read lately I have loved but that's probably because if I don't like them I stop reading. I only get so much time to read and I'm not going to spend it reading something I don't want to, ya know?

I wasn't sure what it was about when I picked it up but I ended up really enjoying it (even though I haven't had a chance to read the 2nd one yet). Luce gets sent off to a boarding school for an accident that really wasn't her fault and there she meets Daniel. Their relationship is strained and he is a complete jerk to her and she has no idea why. Thrown into the mix is Cam (yes, another sorta love triangle). He is very interested in Luce and Luce enjoys his attention - but there is something a little off with him.

I really don't want to say too much because there are so many twists in the story that it will ruin the book. I did think the character's were great and the story was unique and not something I had read before. I really need to get to the second one.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Goodreads Description:Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.

Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.

My Thoughts:Truthfully, I was avoiding this book. Even though I had heard it was really good I normally don't do scary anything. Movies, books, tv shows - anything that I think will give me nightmares I do not watch. But when this book came in at the library I decided to give it a go.

This book is about all the creepy monsters that came out at night to terrorize a neighborhood and steal one of their children every so many years. Even though the creatures in the story are creepy and it reads like a horror story - the book is also about friendship and love.

From the love of Mackie's sister, who always protected him even though he was a little strange, to the friendship with Tate and what it leads Mackie to do - it is a horror story with lots of bright spots built in.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I picked it up when it came in. Even though its a horror story it didn't freak me out like I thought it would. Even though Mackie is kinda weird and creepy, he is someone the reader rots for and wants to see make it through all the bad stuff happening to him.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Goodreads Description:Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

My thoughts:As much as I loved The Forest of Hands and Teeth, I loved this book even more. Right from the very beginning the story is full of action and suspense. I have never wanted to throw a book through the wall just by reading the first few chapters like I did with this book. I thought the character development was wonderful. In The Forest of Hands and Teeth, Mary was headstrong, had dreams, knew what she wanted, and wasn't content to stay locked up in her town. Gabry, on the other hand, was content. She felt safe and when her world is turned upside she becomes a stronger person even though she is scared while doing it.

It seems like all the books I've read lately have had some sort of love triangle - this being no exception. But with this book, I really liked both of the guys. I could see what she liked in both of them and it would be so hard to choose between them!

I'm so looking forward to The Dark and Hollow Places. Even though it takes up with a different lead I'm sure we are going to see some of Gabry and find out what happens.

This is a weekly meme started by Jennifer at Crazy for Books. I thought I would add it to the blog.

This weeks questions is:What do you consider the post important in a story: the plot or the characters?

This is a tough one! Without the plot the story wouldn't go anywhere BUT I have to go with characters. I think my favorite part of reading is getting to know the characters and becoming invested in what happens to them. Even when the plot goes kinda crazy if the characters are developed enough that I love them I will keep reading just to find out what happens to them.

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee's View. It's a way to spread the love and get new followers.This week's question is:

What did you study in college, or are currently studying and did it lead to your current 9 to 5 or are you doing something totally different?

Well, when I was an undergrad at WVU I majored in History with a minor in Communication and Business Administration. (Yes, I know - totally different stuff.) After graduation I went back to college at MU and got my Master's of Arts in Teaching with my emphasis on Social Studies. Well, I lucked into a job as a School Library Media Specialist and just finished up my second Master's for that. And that's what I'm currently doing! I'm a school librarian. :)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Bought:Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle ZinkThe Maze Runner by James DashnerHeroes of the Valley by Jonathan StroudThe Clockwork Three by Matthew KirbyKnit Wit by Amy R. Singer

Secret Santa:The Hole by Guy Burt

Library:Wicked Lovely by Melissa MarrPreying for Mercy by Patricia Briggs

I also bought a Nook! I sold my Kindle on eBay and got a Nook instead. I love it and can now download books from the library on to it.Nook ebooks:My Blood Approves by Amanda HockingDreaming Anastasia by Joy PrebleFirespell by Chloe Neill

Monday, December 6, 2010

So, I've decided to move my book blog to here. It seems like it would be easier to have a separate blog for books that is actually dedicated to just books. Now that I'm finished w/Grad school I'll have a lot more time to update. I'm going to work on getting some of my posts moved over here as well as posting some reviews for books I've read the last month. Hang with me, ya'll. I promise I'll be updating more!